Container vent



Dec. 19, 1944. P, T. RADTKE. 2,365,590

I CONTAINER VENT Filed June 29, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Paf/zal 7.'- 22a/dike Dec. 19, 1944. P, 1'. RADTKE CONTAINER VENT Filed June 29, 1943 2 sheets-sheet 2 I r11/enter Paw/z 7.F Eddi/ve By v @una and Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER VENT Paul T..Radtke, Cottage Grove, Oreg. Application June v29, 1943, serial No. 492,759

VYs claims. (ci. 22o- 44) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in air vents for liquid pouring containers, and has for its primary object to pro# vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel closing and sealing means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a container vent of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in iconl struction, strong, durable, highly eflcient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apbottom thereof.

This tube I I terminates in a bevelled lower end portion I2 which is secured against the wall of the container 3 by a bracket I3. A notch I4 in the lower extremity of the tube II provides communication between said tube and the container 3. At a point in longitudinally spaced relation from the ange 9, the bottom 6 of the housing I is further provided with a depression I5. The depression I5 is for the reception of a ball valve I6 which is operable in the housing I. The ball valve I6, when in operative position, is engaged with the seats 1 and I0 for closing the air intake 6 and the tube I I.

The end walls 5 and I6 of the housing If have formed transversely in their upper portions slots I1. The slots I1 accommodate a downwardly curved or bowed spring I8 which is mounted i longitudinally in the upper portion of the hous- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the container, showing the vent in side elevation, the lower end portion of the tube being broken away in section.

Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal section through the upper portion of the vent. Figure 4 is a cross sectional View through the upper portion of the vent.

Figure 5 is a detail view in elevation of the lower end portion of the tube.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the inventionv `which has been illustrated comprises an elongated housing which is designated generally by reference numeral I, `which housing may be of any desired dimensions and material. The housing I is fixed in any suitable manner on the top 2 of a pouring container 3 adjacent the filler neck 4 thereof. j

In the embodiment shown, the housing I i substantially square in cross section, as illustrated to advantage in Figure 4 of the drawings. Extending longitudinally into the housing I- from the end wall 5 thereof is an air intake neck 6, the inner end of which is formed to provide a seat 1. Depending from the bottom 8 of the housing I, adjacent the intake 6, is a substantially conical flange 9, The flange 9 has fixed therein a substantially conical seat I0 which is swedged or otherwise suitably formed on the upper end of a tube II.

The tube I I extends downwardly at an inclination into the contamer 3 to a point adjacent the ing I and which is engaged under tension at all times with the ball valve I6. The spring I8 terminates in downturned end portions lI9 for securing said spring in position.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the ball valve I6 in the position shown in Figure 3' of the drawings,

the vent is closed and sealed. It will be noted that the lower end of the tube I I is positioned at the side of the container which is remote from the pouring spout 20 thereof. When the liquid is to be poured, the container 3 is tipped in the usual manner for causing said liquid to flow thru the spout 20. A finger or suitable instrument is inserted in the opening 6 for disengaging the ball valve I6 from the seats 1 and I Il against the tension of the spring I 8 and moving said ball valve into the recess I5. Thus, air from the atmosphere is free to enter the container 3 through the tube II. When the container is returned to an upright position after the 'pouring operation, the spring I8 is pressed or flexed downwardly at a point adjacent the end wall I6 in a manner to eject or squeeze the ball valve I6 out of the dopression I5 and force said ball valve toward the end wall 5 for engagement with the seats I and Ill, thus again closing and sealing the vent.

It is believed that the many advantages of a vent constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodimentof the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in details of construction may be'resorted tion as claimed.

Va leaf spring in the housing yieldingly urging the ball downwardly in said housing, said spring having an end manipulative to flex the spring and cause the same to .urge the ball inladirection to close said tube.

2. A container vent comprising an elongated housing for mounting on a container, a tube connected to the bottom of the housing and extending into the container, said housing having `v`a bottom depression therein, aball Valve mounted in the housing to roll along the same vin opposite directions into closing Are'zlationito said tube spring having an end manipulative to flex said spring and cause the same to force the ball out of sealing relation to said depression.

3. A container vent of the character described comprising an elongated housing for mounting on top of a container, a. tube including a conical seat on one en'd connected to the bottom of the housing, said bottom of the housing having a depression therein at a point in longitudinally spaced I,relation vto the `tube, an airintake neck extending'intofthe housing andi including a seat on its inner end adjacent the rst-named seat, a

.ball Valve operable longitudinally in the housing and engageable, when in operative position, with whe-seats for closing and'sealing the air intake .andiai-springinrthe housing engaged with the ball for yie1dingly urging saidball on the seats or into '20 the'depression. 

